Pre-Health Professions

 

Students should confirm prerequisites with the medical schools to which they are interested in applying.  Some schools may require additional courses not included below.  Check requirements in the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) available in many book stores.

Check osteopathic medical school requirements if you are applying to D.O. schools.  It is essential that you see a pre-medical advisor prior to planning your pre-med program!  Medical schools will consider students with any major as long as the medical school’s prerequisite requirements are met. 

Required by Most Schools

Courses required by some medical schools

 

Courses which may help with the MCAT and are highly recommended

• Overview of a Career in Medicine - Includes career description, employment characteristics, salary, employment outlook, educational programs, and licensure and certification, and inquiries contact information.
• Becoming a physician: frequently asked questions - American Medical Association's FAQ's, including attritubes of a successful physician.
• Considering a Medical Career? Find out what doctors do and how to prepare for a career in medicine.
• AspiringDocs.org - Timeline for applications and admission, MCAT deadline and score schedule, and information and support for diversity in the field of medicine. Includes "Ask the Experts" and "Inspiring Stories".
• Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) - This book is an invaluable and essential source of information on medical school admission requirements, class profiles, and much more.  When you apply to medical school you will want a copy.
• Essential information on the MCAT exam - Important part of how medical schools access your application.
• AMCAS (Medical School Application Service) – Most medical schools use this service for initial applications. College transcripts, grades, letters of recommendation, personal essay, etc., are entered here and submitted by AMCAS to the medical schools of your choice.
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) for MCAT® examinees and AMCAS® applicants, with eligibility guidelines and online application.
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - AAMC publications, job center, medical schools, and medical education and research.
• Summer Medical and Dental Education Program and the Association of American Medical Colleges - Summer medical and dental education programs are free and include full tuition, housing, and meals; six-week summer academic enrichment programs that offer freshman and sophomore college students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. Open to students from historically underrepresented groups.
• St. Agnes (Fresno) Scribe Program - For pre-medical students. Excellent training and experience that includes assisting emergency room physicians on their rounds. An application is required.

 

Students should contact individual dental schools for specific prerequisite information.

 It is essential that you see a pre-dental advisor prior to planning your pre-dental program! 

Majoring in science is not a must, but completion of pre-dental science requirements is necessary.

Required by Most Dental Schools

Recommended Course

Below are links to an overview of a career in dentistry, a four-year graduation roadmap, summer education programs, information on the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and a comprehensive list of U.S. dental schools.

• Overview of a Career in Dentistry- Career description, employment characteristics, salary, employment outlook, need for minority dentists, educational programs, licensure, certification, and registration, and inquiries contact information.
• American Dental Association (ADA)- A website for students interested in a career in dentistry – provides an overview of the entire preparation and application process, and more.
• Four-year Timeline -What do you need to do to prepare yourself for dental school? It's more than just taking and doing well in your courses. If you are not on a four-year graduation plan, adapt this timeline from the ADA website to your own roadmap for graduation.
• American Dental Educational Association (ADEA)- Educational resources including application services, policy and advocacy, professional development, and publications, and video.
• ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools ($35)- The ADEA Guide to Dental Schools answers virtually every question about dentistry and the dental school admissions process. You will want to refer to this when you are getting ready to apply.
• Summer Medical and Dental Education Program and the Association of American Medical Colleges - Summer medical and dental education programs are free and include full tuition, housing, and meals; six-week summer academic enrichment programs that offer freshman and sophomore college students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. Open to students from historically underrepresented groups.
• Information on the DAT Exam - Required dental admission exam. Includes sections of chemistry, biology, verbal, and perceptual ability.
• American Student Dental Association -List of dental schools, member resources, and online purchase of ASDA Predental Handbook.

1. A minimum of 90 semester units (three years) of university preparation.  However over 90% of the admitted students have completed at least a bachelors degree.  You should consider applying after 90 units only if your science and overall GPAs are well over 3.5.
2. You must be either a citizen or a permanent resident of the US.
3. Take the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).
   
   Most pre-dental students major in either biology or chemistry.  However, you may take any major that you want as long as you take the minimum required coursework in biology and chemistry.  This will take careful planning on your part.  Consult with an advisor.

You go through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).

Go to this website for DAT information and instructions.

Many students take the Kaplan course to prepare for the DAT.

There are links listed on this website.

Yes.  Check with your advisor to get on the club email list.  The club brings in local dentists to describe the educational process, getting started in a practice, and to answer your questions.  The club also organizes trips to California dental schools so that you can check out potential schools in person.

Your best guide is the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools, published annually by the ADEA.  Request your copy at this link.

A copy is also available in the Fresno State Library, at the first-floor reference desk.  It lists all US and Canadian dental schools.  The Guide has an extensive discussion about finances and a detailed look at the most recent entering class (DAT scores, GPA, applicant pool), application process, and each school’s costs.

One year before you expect to enter dental school.  You should take the DAT and start the AADSAS process the spring semester or early summer one year before you graduate.  Check the ADSAS deadlines and instructions so that you do not miss important dates.

Many students apply again the next year and are successful.  There are also alternative career paths which include podiatry, optometry, and clinical laboratory science, among others.  You should keep these alternatives in mind early in your career and learn about the admission requirements for the above alternative programs.  You may be able to take coursework that will prepare you for admission to more than one program.  Dental and medical schools accept only about 25% of their applicants so you need to be realistic, especially if your GPA drops below 3.0.

 

Students should contact individual pharmacy schools for specific prerequisite information.

Common minimum science and matematics course

 

Additional Course Recommendations Depending on School

Minimum admission requirements vary by institution

• Overview of a Career in Pharmacy - Career description, employment characteristics, salary, employment outlook, educational programs, licensure, certification, and registration, and inquiries contact information.
• Pharmacy Career Information - Pharmacists work in a variety of occupational settings – not only in community pharmacies. Get information on the full range of possible pharmacy careers.
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy - Frequently asked questions about pharmacy and admission to pharmacy schools.
• List of pharmacy schools and links to school admission statistics - Includes contact information, admission statistics, course prerequisites, etc.
• PharmCAS: Pharmacy School Application service - One-stop-shop for applying to pharmacy schools.  
• Pharmacy School Admission Requirements-Provides an overview of individual pharmacy schools. Mission statements, information on curriculum, statistics, admission requirements, gpa data, etc.
• PCAT Test - The PCAT test is not required if you apply in-state, but is for many or most out of state schools.
• PSAR - This reference guide provides prospective pharmacy students and school counselors with specifics about admission requirements for all the professional pharmacy degree programs.

 

Students should contact individual Clinical Lab Science schools for specific prerequisite information.

California Code of Regulations for Clinical Laboratory Personnel

Requirements for a CLS Trainee License

 

Additional Course Recommendation

The links below provide a comprehensive overview of clinical lab schools and careers.

• Overview of a Career in Clinical Laboratory Science - Career description, employment characteristics, salary, educational programs, and inquiries contact information.
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) - Search for programs nationwide in the clinical lab sciences.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - Nature of work, training, employment, job outlook and projections, earnings and wages, and additional resources.

 

Students should contact individual Veterinary schools for specific prerequisite information.

 

Additional Course Requirements Depending on School

The links below provide an overview of veterinarian careers, the AVMA, and veterinary medicine colleges.

• Overview of a Career in Veterinary Medicine- Career description, employment characteristics, salary, employment outlook, educational programs, licensure, and inquiries contact information.
• American Veterinary Medical Association - Links to AVMA resources, current scientific issues, journals and references, veterinary resources, jobs, AVMA Annual Convention and services, and resources for the public.
• Association of American Veterinary Medicine Colleges - Click on "Students and Admissions" for a list of U.S. and international veterinary medical schools. Veterinary colleges accrediated by the AMVA.
• American Veterinary Medical Association Application Service (VMCAS) - Application resources, and contact information including a student and advisor hot

 

Students should contact individual Physician Assistant schools for specific prerequisite information.

• Physicians Assistant Requirements - The information included on this website is comprised of licensing guides,details on pursing a specialty area of practice, earning a certificate of added qualification (CAQ), preparing for the PANCE exam and salary data that will help individuals get in to and advance in their career.
• PAEA Program Directory - The directory has a map view or a list view, allowing applicants to view the geographical span of PA programs across the country and advanced filtering options such as GRE requirement, veteran support, minimum GPA, etc. Also, added fields for each program such as:
  • Supplemental Fee Waiver
  • Program Matriculants by Gender
  • Program Matriculants by Ethnicity
  • Required Onsite Interview
  • Virtual Experience Hours Accepted
• California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA)
• Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) - Participating programs, FAQ's, and PA Programs Directory.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - Nature of work, training, employment, job outlook, projections, wages and earnings, and additional resources.
• American Academy of Physician Assistants - About physician assistants, physician assistant programs, education and certification, state and federal advocacy and practice resources, and physician assistant news.